High Maintenance

[Contigo]

Does anyone find they are constantly checking their cars or scheduling time for replacing bulbs, tyres or whatever else goes.

Had two new tyres last month and tracking sorted, then Boot actuator went and this morning Brake light warning comes on.

I'm thinking of quitting my job just to keep on top of the machine!

Sell up and get a Mondeo TDci? No way!!!!

[Contigo]

Just done brake light bulb

Got the thermostat, Both Lambdas and EGT to do now.

[Blue_Thunder]

It's never ending with these cars.

These sites would be pretty quiet if they weren't though!

[lengster1]

If its the upper lambdas your doing get yourself a 22mm halfords combi ring spanner and be prepared to cut it down its a pig of a job

[rtd]

when it rains it pours!

[Contigo]

Getting them done under Warranty so no probs there, they wont cover the EGT or MAF so will do the Lamdas first to see if that fixes it. It runs fine at the mom but best to not have any fault codes you know.

[mad-for-tar]

Never ending alright.... mines been laid up since the day I bought it...over 6 weeks ago, due to travelling abroad and personal circumstances so only been getting on top of things this week. Alternator packed up the day I picked it up so I knew thats the start of the deep pockets!

So far this week:

> 1 new alternator fitted
> Battery recharged
> Bulkhead tray drains modified
> Found 2 loose spark plugs, all 6 checked and silicone grease applied to boots of the coil packs for insulation.
> Small plastic valve for crankcase ventilation repaired (like a one way valve type thingy, was blowing oil vapours straight at the bulkhead )
> Wiper arm shafts checked for stifness/seizure, removed cleaned and greased.
> Seized boot lock barrel removed, dismantled and freed out.
> Bluetooth handsfree kit rewired as was never done properly upon installation.


To go in tomorrow:
> Pair of 710N's, coolant temperature sender and after-run mod.
> X contact relief relay, #370 (blew it in process of rewiring car kit...doh!)

Hopefully after that, I'll get to enjoy it for a few minutes before something else gives up!

[Contigo]

Feel for you mate, the day before the wedding the boot wouldn't open properly or close (lock) so had to go to the Stealers and have it bodged so that the key could open and close it. Took it to them on Monday and they replaced the Actuator.

[ShaneyB]

You're certainly putting me off getting a B5........

[quattrokid1]

I think I'll go and wrap ours in cotton wool!!

no problems here apart from the ones that came with the car.....

sorted now and touch wood its been fine since.
Ours gets an easy life so perhaps we're lucky?

[andream88]

we all should replace the 2,7tt with a turboed VR6.

[mad-for-tar]

You're certainly putting me off getting a B5........

Dont let that ruin it for you....you buy one in the knowledge that you WILL at some point have to fix some of the common problems and expect for the worst to happen. But one thing I will say for sure is by God, the thrill of driving the damn thing certainly outweighs all the bad points. Do it...you wont be sorry! (Just my 2p worth!)

[ShaneyB]

I'm half thinking that anyway as I had all similar issues with my mapped B5 S4. I'm just trying to work out if I should go for the B5 or B7 RS4 now. Not a bad dilemma I suppose.

[Contigo]

B7 if you want less of a headache and more of a marvel! Bear in mind though that most of them are coming to the end of their 3yr manufacturers warranty and as such couild stat costing you. Try to buy one with 1 yrs extended Audi warranty or go with one of the aftermarket warranties on it.

[stumpyrs4]

B5 every day.
Since owning the car for a total of 4 weeks now? I absolutely love the thing. Having been released from it's shackles by Dougal, it's even better.

My 2penneth worth as well...